Choosing a florist can be time consuming. I suggest you call florists that have been recommended to you by friends or co-workers before you go to the shop. Also, ask some of the wedding vendors you have chosen for their florist recommendations. You could check with local caterers and local nurseries as well.

And plan early, some florists are booked a year in advance. Some questions to ask are:

1. Do you "like" to do weddings? Some florists don’t!
2. Find out if your wedding date is available, some shops only want to do one wedding on any given date.
3. Ask if they have any pictures of flower arrangements that they have designed for local weddings. Or if they have won any awards for their designs.
4. Ask if you can make an appointment, so that you can have time to discuss everything from the style of your wedding dress to how many boutonnieres you will need. The florist won’t have time to plan with you if it is prom week!
5. If you have a particular type of corsage in mind, do a "price check." "I was thinking of a simple pin on corsage of a small lavender rose for Grandmother, on an average, what is the usual charge for this type of flower?"
6. Have they supplied flowers for weddings at your chosen ceremony/reception location? If so, what type of arrangements do they suggest? If not, do they want to make a site visit before preparing a proposal?

Once you have called and made appointments with the florists, who have answered your questions satisfactorily, be prepared with your list of essential designs and a list of additions should your budget permit. It is also important to know the color scheme of your wedding. This is a planning trip that both the bride and groom can take together.

Traditionally the groom pays for the bride’s bouquet, a going-away corsage (if the bride changes from her wedding dress), the boutonnieres for the men in the wedding party and the mothers’ corsages. The bride’s family pays for the rest of the flowers – maid/matron of honor’s bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, flower girl’s basket, hostesses’ flowers, fathers’ and grandfathers’ boutonnieres, decorative flowers and centerpieces.

This tradition can be changed, especially if the groom’s family are sharing some of the reception expense - then the bride’s family could purchase all the flowers.

Besides having your list of essential designs and possible additions, take some pictures of bouquets you like – maybe clipped from magazines, or wedding pictures from your parents’ wedding, or an advertisement. If the florist doesn’t think she can duplicate the work, or is resistant, maybe you should select another florist.

A florist’s shop is a signature of that florist’s ability and taste, look around, do you think the designs you see are attractive?

It is important that you feel comfortable enough to ask for advice from your "expert." What flowers can last in the heat? What size bouquet do I need with a "princess" dress? Some flowers or their color have traditional meanings—can you help me choose appropriately?

Also, be up front with your budget requirements. This way the florist knows the parameters and can suggest designs accordingly. Now is a good time to ask about payment terms, set up and break down fees, and when do they need the deposit.

While planning with the florist, determine flexibility and range of options. Look over your list of essentials and additions and determine how many of your dreams can be provided for within your budget. A florist you can work with will be able to suggest alternatives that are compatible with your dreams and still be within your budget.

What happens if the flowers you decide upon with the florist become unavailable, how does the florist handle substitutions if it becomes necessary?

Sometimes in the planning meeting the florist can give you a proposal, once all the plans are discussed. If not, find out when the proposal will be ready, and find out also, when do they need to know of your acceptance.

Florist